Swanage is the RoCs local outdoor climbing venue and is suitable for all grades of climber from beginner (that’s most of us!) right up to those with near suicidal tendencies. The rock is a mixture of quarried and natural limestone which ranges from reassuringly solid (on most routes) to diabolically loose on others. Access to the climbs is by a mixture of walk-in, ‘easy way down’ and abseil. If you have never abseiled before then don’t panic; we can show you the text book ways of doing this safely. Unfortunately we can’t guarantee the weather but I always seem to get sunburn when climbing at Swanage so bring your Factor 50 in anticipation!
Tom’s Field (www.tomsfieldcamping.co.uk) is the traditional location for RoCs over-night stays in the area and this trip is no exception. The site is in easy walking distance of the fleshpots of Langton Matravers where the Kings Arms have been known to produce some of the best chips available on the planet.
A lot of people associate Swanage with the bolted routes at Hedbury and Windspit quarries but there are a significant number of other areas to explore. At Hedbury there is a good selection of trad routes on the Sea Walls that are often overlooked as they are not in the Rockfax guide to Dorset. Moving further east there are the trad venues of Guillemot Ledge, Cattle Troughs and Subluminal; all have routes at the low to mid end of the grade range. If you are not that keen on the walk from Tom’s field then a short drive through Swanage town leads to a car park above the lighthouse at Subluminal.
The camp site is less than 50 miles from Romsey so if you can’t make the whole weekend then a one-day-dash is well on the cards.

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P Meet Organiser: John H. This is a Beginners meet, for those members who have either never climbed outdoors before or are in need of a refresher. The meet is open to all members, but its main purpose is to encourage … Continue reading →

Meet Organiser: Pete T. This is an annual RoCs weekend meet to the delights of the Peak District National Park. We plan to camp at North Lees Peak District National Park site just north of Hathersage. We will need to … Continue reading →

Swanage is the RoCs local outdoor climbing venue and is suitable for all grades of climber from beginner (that’s most of us!) right up to those with near suicidal tendencies. The rock is a mixture of quarried and natural limestone … Continue reading →